Bachelor of Arts in Physics, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 1998; Master of Science in mechanical engineering andPh.D., geological and environmental sciences, Stanford University, 2002 and 2007. Since 2011 Deputy Chief Scientist for Solar System Exploration at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. He has made nine dives to the bottom of the ocean. Dr. Hand was also a scientist onboard James Cameron's 2012 dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Semi finalist in NASA group 21 selection.